Lemon Tree Premier, HITEC City, Hyderabad

Places to visit in Hyderabad

There are a variety of tourist attractions in Hyderabad, a city with a 400-year-old history and a rich blend of cultures. This "city of pearls" has heritage monuments, lakes, parks, gardens, resorts, museums and delectable cuisine that lure tourists. It is known for its interesting diamond markets, pearls, glass embedded bangles and beautiful saris.

Charminar

One of the significant historical sites worth visiting is the Charminar, situated in the heart of the city. It is an important landmark in Hyderabad.

Char Kaman

Near the Charminar stand four magnificent arches called Char Kaman, which served as the gateway to the Zilu Khana (ante chamber) of the royal palace.

Mecca Masjid

One of the largest mosques in India, the Mecca Masjid, is located very close to the Charminar.

Golconda Fort

Another tourist attraction here is the Golconda Fort, a 16th century fortress situated on the western outskirts of Hyderabad city. Known for its collection of diamonds, it is said that the famous Kohinoor originally belonged to Golconda.

Falaknuma Palace

The last Nizam of Hyderabad built the Falaknuma Palace, which housed the most expensive art objects, tapestries and carpets, in addition to the largest single person collection of diamonds. Here the Nizam received their Majesties, the late King George V and King Edward VIII of England.

Entertainment Venues

The Alleygator has emerged as a fun center for all with four lines of bowling alleys, six pool tables, and video games. Runway9-Go Karting is a great place for go-karting. Ocean Park is a one of its kind water theme amusement park modeled on international standards. The Ramoji film city, an hour's drive from the city center, is a famous film shooting location and well worth a visit.

Salar Jung Museum

Salar Jung Museum is one of the most visited places in the city. With a collection of fine art, tapestries, jade artifacts, weaponry and sculpture, it is a real treasure trove.

Shilparamam

Shilparamam, located at Madhapur, showcases various art forms and handicrafts of artists from all over the country. Birla Planetarium is situated on a hill near the Birla Temple and offers educational shows and fine views of the city.

Lakes and Gardens

Husain Sagar Lake

In 1562, Ibrahim Qutb Shah built Husain Sagar Lake, a large artificial lake that connects the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. In the middle of the lake, there is an island with a larger than life size statue of Buddha. Boats take tourists across the lake to the island to view the statue.

Hyderabad Botanical Gardens

Hyderabad Botanical Gardens, near HITEC City, is the first Botanical Garden in Andhra Pradesh. The Public Gardens are one of the largest in the city.

Nehru Zoological Park

Nehru Zoological Park is a sprawling zoo, which follows the open plan model and ensures that animals are kept in their natural surroundings. The crocodile hatchery and lion safari are prime attractions.

Durgam Cheruvu

Durgam Cheruvu is situated close to Shilparamam Crafts Village and HITEC City. AP Tourism organizes boating in the Durgam Cheruvu Lake, surrounded by the Deccan Plateau Hills.

Gandipet Lake

Gandipet Lake also called Osman Sagar is 20 km from Hyderabad. This area has well laid out lush green gardens and a swimming pool and serves as a popular picnic spot for the city crowd.

Shameerpet

Shameerpet, about 24kms away from the city, towards the north of Secunderabad has a deer park and a lake with cottages around the place.

Fairs and Festivals

Deccan Festival

Deccan Festival is held at Qutub Shahi Tombs, Hyderabad on the second Friday, and Saturday and Sunday of April each year.

This festival attracts excellent talent from the fields of Music, Dance and Theater. Ghazals, mushairas, qawwalis, classical dances and music reverberate in the surroundings. The Festival reflects the love Hyderabadis have for art and literature.

All India Industrial Exhibitions

The All India Industrial Exhibition is organized by the Exhibition society at the Nampally grounds. This exhibition is held annually from 1st January to 10th February. It is a very prestigious event and it is customary for all Hyderabadis to visit the exhibition with their family and friends.

This exhibition, which started in 1938 as a local exhibition, i.e. "Numaish", to display indigenously produced goods in the erstwhile Hyderabad state, has now become one of the largest trade fairs in India.

Kite Festival

The popular Kite Festival of Hyderabad is held in the month of January and is organized at Shilparamam and various other parts of the city.

Lumbini Festival

In the month of December a festival is organized to celebrate the Buddhist Heritage of Andhra Pradesh. The festival is celebrated in Nagarjunasagar and Hyderabad for 3 days.

Festival of Andhra Pradesh

This 10 day cultural festival is held in the month of November to mark the anniversary of Andhra Pradesh's statehood. Eminent musicians and dancers perform during this festival.

Mrigasira

On this day a unique cure for asthma is administered to patients from all over India; swallow a live, small freshwater fish called maral. Many sufferers claim miraculous cures. It is celebrated in the month of June.

Places of Worship

Birla Temple
The spotless white marble temple, situated on elevated ground shining under the bright sun, is an alluring sight to all visitors.
Mecca Masjid: This is the oldest and largest mosque in Hyderabad, situated next to Charminar.
St. Joseph's Cathedral: Hear rhythmic bells, perfectly in sync with the serene atmosphere of the church.
Shopping Areas

Banjara Hills, Panjagutta, Begumpet

This is the most recently developed commercial area in Hyderabad with many high street shops and malls, frequented by the young and trendy residents of the city.

Charminar

This is the oldest commercial area in the Twin cities. It is a traditional place for silversmiths, pearl and bangle sellers. During the kite festival, beautiful and ornate kites can be found in the shops around the Charminar.

Abids, Basheerbagh, Nampally

This area is famous for jewellery, clothes and shoe shops.